Kelly McBride | Poynter
Each newsroom must adopt an ethics policy to guide the use of generative artificial intelligence. For what? Because the only way to create ethical standards in an unlicensed profession is to do it workshop by workshop.
Until we create these standards—even if we’re just getting started—we’re holding back innovation.
So here is a starter kit, created by Poynter Alex Mahadevan, Tony Elkins and me. It is a statement of journalistic values that grounds AI experimentation in the principles of accuracy, transparency and public trust, followed by a set of specific guidelines.
Think of it like a meal prep kit. Most of the work is done, but you still need to roll up your sleeves and do some work. This policy includes blank spaces, where editorial managers will need to add details, saying “yes” or “no” to very specific activities, such as the use of AI-generated illustrations.
